Budget discussion continues in two Houses of Parliament, Lok Sabha sees two adjournments

The House was adjourned following uproar over remarks of Congress member Charanjit Singh Channi and BJP leader and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. The House faced another adjournment when Sunil Tatkare of NCP sought to make his remarks.

In Rajya Sabha, Congress member Randeep Singh Surjewala made a strong attack on the government over its policies related to agriculture.

"The government's DNA is anti-farmer. The government has not spent Rs 3 lakh crore in six schemes related to agriculture," he said during discussion on the budget.

He said that no provisions have been made in the budget for waiving of farmers' loans. He also said that the government is not providing adequate MSP on foodgrains to farmers.

AAP leader Raghav Chaddha claimed that the tax burden on the common man has increased. He alleged that citizens of the nation have to pay taxes like England to get facilities like Somalia.

He said that the BJP managed to secure 240 seats, short of majority mark, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections because the public imposed 18 percent GST on them.

"In 2019, the BJP had 303 seats in Lok Sabha, but in 2024, the public imposed 18 percent GST and gave them only 240 seats. There are various reasons stated behind their plight, but there are three main reasons - economy, economy, economy!"

"If a common man earns Rs 10, then he has to pay Rs 3 for income tax, Rs 2 - 2.50 goes into GST, Rs 2 goes into Capital Gain charges and Rs 1 -1.50 goes into some other charges, which means Rs 7-8 goes into the treasury of the government. What does the common man gain? What do they do from these taxes? Are they providing world-class infrastructure, health care, transport, or education services? We, in India, pay taxes like England to get services like Somalia."

He alleged that the government has managed to displease all sections of society from the Budget 2024."Whenever a budget is presented, generally some sections of society get happy and some are disappointed but this time they have managed to disappoint every section of society. They have managed to displease all sections of society. In fact, this time supporters of the BJP are also disappointed."

In Lok Sabha, Baijayant Panda of BJP termed the Union Budget as historic.

"The Modi government embodies the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, ensuring the dignity and well-being of every Indian. Together, we are advancing towards a Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat," he said.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi triggered an uproar after he alleged that there is "undeclared emergency" under BJP-led government and noted that "free speech" of the Waris Punjab De chief and Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh who is in jail is being curbed by invoking the National Security Act against him.

"They (BJP) speak about Emergency every day. But what about the undeclared Emergency in the country today?...This too is Emergency that a man who was elected as an MP by 20 lakh people in Punjab is behind bars under the NSA. He is unable to present the views of the people of his constituency, here. This too is Emergency."

"They talk about the 1975 emergency but about today's undeclared emergency in the country? It is also an emergency that Sidhu Moose Wala, one of the famous singers of the nation was killed and justice has not given to his family. It is also an emergency when central agencies work against opposition leaders. It is also an emergency when farmers are declared as Khalistani when they ask for their rights. A concrete barricading has been created to stop them so they cannot arrive in Delhi. This is also an emergency. It is also an emergency that Manipur which has been constantly burning for the last 1.5-2 years is left in the plight condition. It is also an emergency that students who have been protesting for their rights have been declared anti-nationalists?"

As Channi was speaking, Ravneet Singh Bittu referred to remarks pertaining to his father, and took strong exception to the Congress leader comparing the BJP-led government to the "gora" government of Britishers.

Bittu said his grandfather did not lay down his life for a party but for the country.

He alleged that Channi was talking of poor but had huge money resources. Bittu also made corruption allegations against Channi.

Responding to the Congress leader's "skin colour" comment, Bittu made a veiled reference to foreign origins of Sonia Gandhi.

Bittu, a former Congress MP from Punjab, had joined the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha polls but lost the polls from Ludhiana. The House was adjourned till 2 pm amid huge uproar.

When the House met again, Congress member KC Venugopal sought apology from Bittu over his remarks. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that unparliamentary words spoken from either side should be expunged.

Piyush Goyal and Kiren Rijiju demand that there should be breach of privilege against Channi over remarks pertaining to farmers protest.

Speaker Om Birla said members from both sides and specially ministers should ensure that dignity of House is lowered when they make their remarks. He said dignity of House should be maintained and action will be taken if aspersions are cast on the Chair.

Channi's remarks related to Amritpal Singh caused huge political controversy with BJP attacking him. Congress distanced itself from his remarks.

"The views expressed by Charanjit Singh Channi, MP on Amritpal Singh are his own, and do not reflect in any way the position of the Indian National Congress," party leader Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

The discussion on Union Budget started in the two Houses on Wednesday and is inconclusive. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reply to the debate after the discussion concludes. (ANI)